Shark Power Macintosh G4s to Deter Processor Upgrades

The next generation Power Macintosh G4 logicboard, code-named "Shark," is going to do a lot of good for the Macintosh platform by improving on already-implemented technologies and, of course, by sporting faster G4 processors. On the other hand, sources are reporting that the new board may reflect some of Apple's dark side as well.

Most of you are already aware of the current fiasco surrounding the issue of Apple's blocking G4 upgrades to the Blue and White Power Macintosh G3s via a firmware updater patch distributed earlier this year. AppleInsider first broke this story back in June. You can read all the details in our coverage from that day.

New rumors are suggesting that Apple, responding to all the negative press and feedback, is preparing a firmware patch that will reverse the trap. Even if these rumors play out, it will have little effect on what AppleInsider sources claim is the long-term goal.

Beginning with the release of the Shark-based Power Macintosh G4 systems, Apple is said to be moving the Boot ROM off the logicboard and onto the processor daughter card — effectively eliminating the option of third-party processor upgrade cards.

The Boot ROM is hardware-specific code residing in firmware (ROM) that fits into one chip. The boot ROM includes the code and tables needed to start up the computer, load an operating system, and provide common hardware access services. Since this code belongs to Apple, third parties would have to obtain permission (a license) from Apple in order to produce cards with the Boot ROM.

Currently there is no word on whether Apple plans to license the technology to developers at a fee, prevent processor upgrades completely, or jump into the upgrade market itself. However, from the way things look now, the current line of Power Macintosh G4 units may be the last "upgradable" Macintoshes for a very long while.